Foot manuvering aid and method of use

ABSTRACT

A foot maneuverability aid device includes a first strap to form a first opening having a first size, the first strap having a first adjustable closure; and a second strap to form a second opening having a second size; a first base of the first strap and a second base of the second strap are integrally connected; and the first size is less than the second size.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to footwear systems, and more specifically, to a foot maneuverability aid system and method for aiding another in moving and maneuvering one of their feet.

2. Description of Related Art

Footwear is common in the art and provides effective means to protect feet. As shown in FIG. 1, a common shoe 101 is shown to secure to a person's foot. One of the problems that can be associated with shoe 101 is limited ability to help a person move their foot, such as is a common practice for physical therapy, and for those that have disabilities. A helper must manually grasp and move the foot to help, which can be difficult and impractical.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of footwear, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of the present application are set forth in the appended claims. However, the embodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and further objectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a simplified side view of a common shoe;

FIG. 2 is a simplified side view of a foot maneuverability aid system in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a top view of an aid device of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the method of use of the system of FIG. 2.

While the system and method of use of the present application is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present application as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the system and method of use of the present application are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that in the development of any actual embodiment, numerous implementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure.

The system and method of use in accordance with the present application overcomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonly associated with conventional footwear. Specifically, the present invention provides a means to conveniently aid another in maneuvering a foot through use of a simple device. These and other unique features of the system and method of use are discussed below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The system and method of use will be understood, both as to its structure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments of the system are presented herein. It should be understood that various components, parts, and features of the different embodiments may be combined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which are within the scope of the present application, even though not all variations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should also be understood that the mixing and matching of features, elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expressly contemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/or functions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodiment as appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It is chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention and its application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art to follow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identify corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2 depicts a side view of a foot maneuverability system 201 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciated that system 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problems commonly associated with conventional footwear systems.

In the contemplated embodiment, system 201 includes a shoe 203 with an aid device 205 secured around an instep portion 207 of shoe 203. As further shown in FIG. 3, aid device 205 includes a first strap 301 having a closure device 303 configured to secure a first end 305 and second end 307 together around a top portion of the shoe. In one embodiment, closure device 303 is adjustable and consists of a hook and loop fastener, however, other contemplated embodiments can include clasps, buttons, and the like.

Device 205 further includes a second strap 309 being longer than strap 301 and therefore configured to extend above shoe 203 to form a handle structure. In one embodiment, strap 309 is fused or integral at the top, however, other contemplated embodiments include a second adjustment closure 311 such as a hook and loop fastener.

In the preferred embodiment, first strap 301 and second strap 309 are attached together at the base 313, thereby maintaining structural integrity of device 205. In one embodiment, the first and second strap are composed of a stitched double webbing material, however other materials can include a nylon, cotton, or any other material.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believed characteristic of the present application is the first strap 301 having an adjustable closure 303. It should be appreciated that this feature allows for device 305 to be secured tightly around shoe 203 quickly and effectively.

In FIG. 4, a flowchart 401 depicts the method of use of system 201. During use, the first strap is positioned around the shoe, with the base resting under the instep, as shown with box 403. The first strap is tightly secured around the instep, and the second strap acts as a handle to allow the user to aid in maneuvering the foot of the wearer of the shoe, as shown with boxes 405, 407.

It should be appreciated that although system 201 is described and explained via association with a shoe, the aid device could be used with rehab boots, casts, or any other foot apparatus, or with bare feet.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the embodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particular embodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all such variations are considered within the scope and spirit of the application. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forth in the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above, they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A foot maneuverability aid device, comprising: a first strap configured to form a first opening having a first size, the first strap having a first adjustable closure; and a second strap configured to form a second opening having a second size; wherein a first base of the first strap and a second base of the second strap are integrally connected; and wherein the first size is less than the second size.
 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first adjustable closure is a hook and loop fastener.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the first strap and second strap are composed of a stitched double webbing material.
 4. A foot maneuverability aiding system, comprising: an aiding device, having: a first strap configured to form a first opening having a first size, the first strap having a first adjustable closure; and a second strap configured to form a second opening having a second size; wherein a base of the first strap and a base of the second strap are integrally connected; and wherein the first size is less than the second size; a shoe; wherein the first strap is configured to secure tightly around the shoe; and wherein the second strap is configured to extend above the shoe to form a handle region.
 5. The system of claim 4, wherein the first adjustable closure is a hook and loop fastener.
 6. The system of claim 4, wherein the first strap and second strap are composed of a stitched double webbing material.
 7. A method of aiding in maneuverability of a foot, the method comprising: providing the device of claim 1; securing the first strap around an instep of a shoe; adjusting the fit of the first strap to be tight around the instep of the shoe; using the second strap as a handle to aid in maneuvering the foot. 